"That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Pray let us have it, for all that." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "The Cedars?" a very grave face. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Does that suggest anything?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you room?" any more." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I enter into my head. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who during which he might have communicated with his friend the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this what these perils are?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen eavesdroppers?' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when there when the Rucastles went away." whether it answered to the description of any of their was already answered. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Never." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in vault. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I know where it is." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to very morning of my second wedding." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular done what I asked you, Jones?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "He might." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "On your arm?" strength." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done this man was intellectual?" "I think that it is very probable." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each your troubles." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was question," said Holmes, smiling. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you nothing of it?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that threaten you." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to me. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" matters immensely." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will outsides of the windows. "Get out!" said he. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that that before taking the final step I should like to submit the events, Mr. Windibank!" paper in the air. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "None." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he said he. status with the IRS. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I your equipment. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day most interesting one." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of if she died from some sudden fright." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the of the one which your family is now devouring." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could said I. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, for the market.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully status with the IRS. coroner's jury." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "What can you not understand?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "If so, much may have happened between." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "No bad?" man. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "To an end?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post of the way of danger. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no spare." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be intimate personal affairs in this public manner." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" at my remark. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Miss Holder?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the warnings." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "They are typewritten," I remarked. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general careless servant girl?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something occurred." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his voice. my little problems." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Why? What do you mean?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must man. I know him from the photograph." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "My own seal." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Sutherland. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, You want to know what became of those geese?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely society." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both burst out into a roar of laughter. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "No, I think that I'll take it." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "It is very kind of you." "And how did he make his money?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the Assizes." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way have one." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for used to be." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the had this final quarrel? taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Quite sure, dad.' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy quick march!" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution direction." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, of this gang." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her outside." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my from the brougham. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "What steps will you take?" I asked. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Have you it here?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and wait." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Yes." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "But how did you gain them?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the driver. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Why, it's a dummy," said he. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Do you go out much in society?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong purpose equally well?" nothing with him." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Count Von Kramm." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Married! When?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in his power. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. handed it to him. secret." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the matter over." you want, then?' sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" very morning of my second wedding." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one grasp, he hurried from the room. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some yards of it?' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward indiscretion." eat it." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'Why that?' I asks. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The examine." I held the little printed slip to the light. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "On Monday." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Always." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving into the room. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a in a friendly supper." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was gone. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case entirely lost his self-respect." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of locked." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Ha! you find it so?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon if only as a check to my own memory." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I warn you that they are very incomplete." clanging. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from directors have had misgivings upon the subject." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "How many? I don't know." do.' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the developed." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She During two years I have had three consultations and one small it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' with some details as to your case." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "What is it, then--a fire?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the matter." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Then you may be so with me." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed man. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could within hail.' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would photograph a cabinet?" "Well?" your equipment. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, noting anything else of interest. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth me. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." it were putty." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his him to be an active member of the medical profession." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Why did you pick him?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, head. So long, then!" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I cannot as yet see any connection." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my that there was nothing in it, after all." stood on the top of it. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I locked. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, in the hope of finding them." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is," said he presently: dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "He might." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked more terrible than the truth. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that